Latch mechanism



April 1944- F. P. BERGHOFF 2,346,656

LATCH MECHANISM Filed July 18, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 i INVENTOR Aw A; E 7721,13 730 5070 yhe, ATTO R Y5.

April 18, 1944.

F. P. BERGHOFF LATCH MECHANISM Filed July 18, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 7 H4211 FZel'yZa/f I #M. ATTO EY April 18, 1944. F. P. BERGHOFF 2,346,656

LATCH MECHANISM Filed Ju1y 18, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet s BY v M,% 97%,

ATTO EY April 18, 1944. F. P. BERGHOFF ,3

LATCH MECHANISM I Filed July 18, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 E l E A90 l 132 22 A92 7 BY I Patented Apr. 18, 1944 UNITED STATES PENT OFFICE LATCH MECHANISM Frank P. Berghofi, La Fayette, Ind. Application July 18, 1941, Serial No. 403,031

21 Claims.

The present invention relates to latching de vices, and in particular provides improved constructions which are well suited, but are not limited in their application, to automobile doors, refrigerator doors, and the like.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide latch structures which are simple in construction, economical of manufacture and cause the bolt to cooperate with the keeper in' positively holding. the associated closure members in predetermined position; to provide such structures, including means to release the holding means so as to enablerelative movement between the bolt portions, thereby enabling an opening movement of the associated closure members; to provide such constructions wherein the bolt-comprises a slidable body having a swingable head carried thereby and wherein the aforesaid holding means normally actsitoblock swinging movement between the swingable head and the bolt body; to providesuch constructions wherein inside. and outside operators associated with the latch may be operated to move the holding means out ofholding; relation to the swingabl'ebolt-head; and to. provide such: constructions wherein during a closingmovement of the door the head engages the keeper and causesthe bolt to be slidably retracted, and wherein, further, such retracting; movement of theboltrestores the holding means to operative condition.

Further objects of the present invention are to provide latch constructions which embody one or more push buttons, which maybe depressed to release-the bolt fromholding engagement with the associated keeper; to provide. such constructionswherein the push buttons maybe positioned immediately adjacent. or remotely fromthe bolt mechanism; to provide. such. constructions in which, in accordance with certain: embodiments, inside and. outside push; buttons. are; coaxially mounted,,and wherein either: thereof may be depressed to retract. the? aforesaid holding. means out of cooperativerelationltothe aforesaidrs-wingable bolt head; to provide such constructions, wherein, in accordance with. certain other embodiments, the. inside. push buttonimay; be. located remotely from. the. latch. structure;: to-.- provide such constructions. wherein, inaccordance with certain other. embodiments, the aforesaid holding means may be retracted by depressing a push button located, for example, on the outside of the associated closure, and wherein the bolt assembly as a whole may be retracted by a remote operator provided at the inside of the door; to provide such constructions wherein one or both of the push. buttons associated with the bolt as- 'sembly may be rotated to render one or both of such push buttons inefiective; and to provide such constructions embodying key controlled means for eifecting the locking rotation of one or both of the push buttons.

Further objects of th present invention are to provide latch constructions ofithe' above generally indicated type, embodying an improved separable connection between the inside and outside operators, which facilitates the assembly-0f the latch structure; and to provide such constructions embodying a depre's'si-ble push button,

a bolt releasing operator associated therewith,

and an improved.- releasa'ble connection between the push button and the operator.

With the above, as well as other andmore detailed objects in view, which appear in the following description and in the appended claims, preferred but illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, throughout the several views of which corresponding reference characters are used to" designate corresponding parts and in which:

' Figure 1' is a fragmentary view in elevation, illustrating the application of one form of the invention to an automobile door;

Fig. 2 is a View in horizontal section, taken along'the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig; 3 is a view in vertical section; taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in vertical section, taken along tl'1e line;4---4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a View in vertical section, taken along the line 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6" is a view in. verti'caI- section, taken along the line G-5 ofFig. 2;

Fig. 7 isa fragmentary'view in vertical section, taken-along the'line'l -l oi'Fig: 3;

Figs. 8, 9, 10,11 and 12are comparative-views, showingtvari'ous operating positions: of the latch structure; i

Fig. 13" is 3,. view corresponding; to Fig; 1, but illustrating a modification of the; invention;

Fig. 14' is a: viewin horizontal section; taken along the line. til-M of- Fig. 13;

- Fig; 15. is.a-;fragmentary view; taken along the line l 5--'l5of Fig. I4;

Fig. 16 is a View corresponding generally to Figs. 1 and 13, but illustrating further modification of the invention;

Fig. 17 is a view in horizontal section, taken along the line III'I of Fig. 16; and

Fig. 18 is a view, taken along the line I8-I8 of Fig. 17.

It will be appreciated from a complet understanding of the present invention that, in a generic sense, the improvements thereof may be embodied in latch constructions intended for widely differing applications, and employing widely differing specific structural arrangements. In the forms which are at present preferred, the invention is embodied in automobile door latches, it being understood that the disclosure herein of such specific forms is by way of illustration and not of limitation.

Referring first to Figs. 1 through 12, the improved latch structure comprises generally a bolt 20; which is supported within the associated door 22 and a conventional stepped keeper 24, which is suitably secured to the jamb face of a pillar 26, which is associated with the door 22.

The bolt 20 comprises a plate-like body portion 23, which is rectilinearly slidable relative to the base 30 of the associated case plate, and a swingable head32, the nose 34 whereof projects outwardly through the flange 36 Of the case plate for cooperation with the keeper 24, in the relation shown in Fig. 2. I

The bolt body 28 is supported on the base 30 of the case plate by means of a plurality of studs 38, which are secured to the case plate and which ride in elongated slots 40, formed in the bolt body. The pins 38 and the slots 40 also guide the sliding movements of the bolt, as will be understood, and further support for the bolt is afforded by a shelf 42, which is struck inwardly from the base 30 of the case plate and underlies a laterally offset bolt portion 44, which is rigidly secured to the bolt body 28. The body 28 is provided with a slot-like opening 46, through which the shelf 42 rojects, and which opening accommodates the sliding movements of the bolt.

The laterally offset portion 44 comprises a body 48, having forwardly projecting vertically spaced bearing arms 50 and 52. The bolt head 32 is provided with a rearwardly projecting leg 54, which is received between the bearing arms 50 and 52. A pin 56 is passed through the arms '50 and"52 and the leg 54 and forms a pivotal connection between the bolt head 32 and the laterally oifset bolt portion 44. A coil spring 58 is wound around the pin 56, and the respectively opposite ends thereof are connected, respectively, to the member 44 and to the bolt head 32 in such relation as to continuously urge the bolt head 32 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2 and in Figs. 8 through 12.

When the associated door 22 is in the fully closed position, shown in Figs. 2 and 8, the nose 34 of the bolt head 32 bears against the face 24a of the keeper 24, and in order to positively prevent a clockwise or releasing movement of the bolt head 32 under the just-mentioned conditions, the holding means of the present invention is provided. This holding means takes the form of a bar 60 and a cooperating slide 62. The bar 80 is slidable within a channel provided therefor in the member 48 between the projected position of Figs. 2 and 8, and the retracted position of Fig. 11. The slide 62, in turn, is slidably guided in a transverse slot 64 formed in the member 48 and is movable across the path of movement Of the bar 60. In the holding position of Fig. 8, the slide 62 lies in blocking relation to the rounded rear end 66 of the bar 60, and thus holds the bar 60 in a position in which the squared front end 68 thereof lies in blocking relation to the shoulder 10 formed on the bolt head 32. In the released position of Figs. 9, 10, and 11, the holding face 12 of the slide 62 lies out of the path of movement of the bar 60 and enables the latter to be freely moved from the projected position of Figs. 2 and 8 to the retracted position of Fig. 11. This retracting movement of the bar 60 is caused by the rotative force applied to the bolt head 32.

The slide 62 is provided with an operating pin I4, the upper end of which projects upwardly through a slot II provided therefor in the cover plate I6 associated with the previously mentioned member 44. The lower end of the pin 1.4 projects downwardly through a slot I9 in the member 44 and through an opening provided therefor in the previously mentioned supporting shelf 42.

As described below, the opening 80 is triangular in shape and has an angularly extending surface BI, which operates to cam the slide 62 from its retracted to its holding position; and to reduce the friction between the parts, it is preferred to provide the pin I4 with a roller 83, which has rolling engagement with the bounding surface of the opening 80. Roller 83 is held in place between the pin 82 (which is passed through the lower end of pin (4) and the underside of member '44, it being noted that the diameter of roller 83 is greater than the width of slot 19. Preferably and as illustrated, a leaf spring 84 surrounds the upper end of the pin I4, and bears against the upper surface of plate I6. As will be understood, spring 84 acts to hold the roller 83 in firm but slidable relation to the underside of member 44.

The enlarged head 88 of the pin I4 is freely received in the bifurcated end 88'0f a lever 90. Lever 99 is pivotally'secured to the aforesaid cover plate 16 by means of a stud 92, and may be rocked between the normal position of Figs. 2 and 8 and the released position of Figs. 9, 10 and 11, it being understood that when the lever 90 is in the holding position of Figs. 2 and 8, it retains the slide 62 in blocking relation to the holding bar 60. When the lever 30 is rocked to the released position of Figs. 9, 10, and 11, on the other hand, it carries the slide 62 out of blocking relation to the bar 60 and enables the bolt head 32 to be swung from the holding position of Fig. 8 to the released position. In accordance with the embodiment now being described, the lever 90 may be rocked from the holding position of Figs. 2 and 8 to the released position by depressing either an inside push button I00, or an outside push button I02, which push buttons are coaxially mounted, and which are positioned, respectively, at'the inside and at the outside of the door 22. The push button I00 is depressibly mounted in an escutcheon I04, and the shank I06 thereof is slidably guided in a bearing sleeve I09, which is rigidly secured to or is formed integrallywith the base 30 of the case plate and projects inwardly therefrom. The escutcheon I04 is secured to the base 30 of the case plate by a plurality of studs, such as I08. The push button I00 is normally maintained in its projected position in which its outer surface lies substantially flush with and constitutes a continuation of' the escutcheon surface by means of a compression spring II 0, which is seated between locked .position.

the head of the push button and the base of the escutcheon.

The inner end of the shank I carries an operating and dogging arm II2, which is rigidly secured thereto. In the normal position of the push button I00, the arm IIZ occupies the position shown in full linesin Fig. 3, in which the nose 'I I I thereof lies behind and in operating relation to the previously mentioned lever 90. In the dog ging position of the push button I 32, the arm I I2 occupies the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, in which the nose IIG thereof lies behind and in blocking relation to the bifurcated end of the lever 93, and positively prevents the latter from being moved out of the holding position of Fig.2 and 3, As will be appreciated, the push button I00 is rotatably mounted within theescutcheon I04 and may be freely turned between the just-mentioned normal and dogging positions, Preferably, the face of the push button I00 is provided with an indicator II8, illustrated as being a slight depression in the surface thereof, and the position whereof indicates whether the push button I00 is in the normal or the dogging position.

The outside push button I02 is non-rotatably but depressibly received in an escutcheon I20, which is suitably received in'the outer panel of the door 22. A compression spring I22, which surrounds the shank i2 3 of the push button I02 normally urges the latter to the normal position shown in Fig. 2, and a pin I25, which projects inwardly from the head of the push button, cooperates with an opening I28 in the escutcheon to prevent rotation of the push button.

The shank I22, which is rigid with the push button 502, is of sleeve like form and is connected by means of an insert I39 and a removable fork I32 to the outer and reduced end I34 of a rod 35. The inner reduced end I38 of the rod I33 is slidably received in a counterbo're I40 provided therefor at the inner end of the shank tilt associated with the inside push button I00. The fork I32 serves'to couple the shank I20 and the rod 33 together so that these two members move as a unit. Also, the fork I32, the back whereof bears against the inner wall of the escutcheon I20, limits the degree to which the spring 322 is enabled to project the button I02.

The rod I36 carries an oifset arm M2, which 7 in the unlocked position of the parts-lies infront of the bifurcated end 88 of the lever Q5. It will be understood, therefore, that if the push button M32 is depressed when the rod I33 is in its unlocked position, the arm 52 rocks the lever 00 and releases the holding members and 32 in the same manner that these members are released by a depressing movement of the inside push button I03.

In order torender a depressing movement of the outside push button. ineffective to so rock the lever 36, the push button I02 may be and preferably is provided with a recessed lock cylinder ie i, which may be f usual construction, and consequently is shown only in outline. It will be understood that the cylinder i3 5 may be provided at its inner end with a suitable notch to receive the diametrically extending tab I46 provided at the inner end of the rod I36 and that, consequently, by rotating the cylinder M4, the rod I36 may be rocked between the locking position shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 7 and the aforesaid un- A limit to the rotativev movements of the rod I36 is afforded by a pin M3, which. is carried therebyand which rides in registering slots I 50 formed in the previously mentioned shank I24 and insert I30. I

It will be noticed from Figs. 2 and 6 that the downwardly extending legs of the fork I 32 are received in an annular recess formed in the reduced portion I34 of the rod I30. Such legs are also received in diametrically opposite slots provided in the shank I24 and insert I30. It will be understood, therefore, that by withdrawing the fork I32, the assembly comprising the push button I02, the shank I24 and the insert I30 may freely be withdrawn from the escutcheon As soon as this has been done, the rod I36 may be moved outwardly, as viewed in Fig. 2, carrying the reduced inner end I38 thereof out of the counterbore I40 and enabling the bodily removal of the rod I36 from the assembly. The aforesaid connection comprising the fork I32 will be recognized, therefore, as affording an extremely simple separable connection between the push button I02 and the rod 136, which connection also serves to retain the latter two members in assembled relation to the door. It will be understood that the legs of the fork I32 may be crimped or spread, after insertion, to normally prevent the fork from being removed.

Considering now the operation of the embodi ment shown in Figs. 1 through 12, the parts are shown with the inside push button I00 in the normal position, in which the arm I I2 occupies the full line position of Fig. 3. The push button I 30 may, therefore, be depressed to release the door and also the arm II2 does not interfere with rocking movements of the lever under the influence of the outside push button I02. In the position shown, however, the operating rod I 36 is in its locking position, in which the arm I42 carried thereby is elevated out of range of the lever 39. .Under these conditions, the outside push button I02 may freely be depressed, but such depressing movements are without efiec upon the lever 90. I

In the position of the parts as shown, also, the lever 98 is in its normal or holding position, in which the slide 62 lies behind and holds the bar 60 in blocking relation to the bolt head 32, rendering the latter effective to cooperate with the keeper and hold the door 22 in the fully closed position.

Assuming it is desired to render the outside push button effective for operation, the key cylinder I 34 may be rotated, rocking the rod I35 from the position shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 7 to a position in which the arm I42 lies in operating relation to the lever 99. Ifthe push button I02 is depressed under these circumstances, the iriward movement of the rod I35, as viewed in Fig. 2, rocks the lever 90 from the holding position of Figs. 2 and 8 to the released position of Figs. 9, l0 and 11. A similar rocking movement of the lever 93 may also be produced by depressing the inside push button I30, as will be understood By virtue of its connection to the pin 86, the above-mentioned rocking movement; of the lever 56 carries the slide 62 out of blocking relation to the rounded inner end 06 of the bar 60 (Fig. 9), thereby enabling the latter to be freely moved to the retracted position shown, for example, in

Fig. 11.

As will be understood, it is to be expected that the door 22 will be provided with compressible bumpers, and the opening force normally exerted by these bumpers becomes effective upon release of the bar 60 to force the doorln an opening direction. During this door movement, the head 32 of the bolt rocks around its pivot pin 56 sufficiently far to clear the keeper 24. During its rocking movement, the head 32 of the bolt forces the bar 60 to the retracted position of Fig. 10, and as soon as the bolt clears the keeper 24, the return spring 58 returns the head 32 to the normal position, (Fig. 11).

Upon release of the inside push button I or the outside push button I02, as the case may be, the associated return spring becomes effective to restore the same to the projected position. Such return movement of the operated push button is, however, without immediate effect upon the position of the lever 90, the slide 62 and the bar 00, which latter parts remain in the retracted positions of Fig. 11. If the door is now moved towards the closed position, the tapered face of the bolt head 32 rides up along the tapered face 24b of the keeper 24. This engagement urges the bolt head 32 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 8, which direction of rotation is, however, prevented by the flange 36 of the case plate, and by a resisting action between the bolt head 32 and the base of the slot between the legs 50 and 62. The engagement between the bolt head 32 and the keeper 24 consequently forces the entire bolt assembly 20 to move to the right, as viewed in Fig. 12, against the force of the continuously acting projecting spring 3|. Spring 3|, as will be understood, is connected between the case plate 30 and a laterally turned flange 33 on the bolt body 28.

The just-mentioned retracting movement of:

the entire bolt assembly enables the bolt head 32 to pass behind the leading face 24c of the keeper 20, at which time the spring 3| is enabled to project the bolt 20 to the normal position. If the door closing movement is continued,

the bolt head 32 rides along the second surface 20d of the keeper, again retracting the bolt, and when the door reaches the fully closed position, the head 32 moves behind the keeper face 24a, as aforesaid.

The retracting movement of the bolt assembly "causes the pin 14, associated with slide 62, to

move to the right relative to the previously mentioned supporting shelf 42, and this rightward movement is utilized to restore the slide 62 and the bar 60 to the holding position of Figs. 2 and 8. More particularly, the previously mentioned opening 80 in the shelf 42 is generally triangular in form, and is provided with the The initial rocking movement of lever 80 carries slide 62 to the unlocked position of Fig. 9, in which the pin 14 is posiming1y engages the rounded end 66 of the bar 60 and forces the latter from the retracted position of Fig. 11 to the normal or projected position of Figs. 2 and 8.

It will be appreciated, therefore, that the closing movement of the door restores all of the locking parts to the positions occupied thereby prior to the just-mentioned door opening operation.

Assuming it is desired to renderthe outside push button I02 ineifective, the key cylinder I may be rotated, as aforesaid, to carry the arm I42 to a position in which it is ineffective to rock the lever 90. Both push buttons I00 and I02 may also be rendered ineffective by rotating the inner push button I00 to thereby swing the arm II2 carried thereby from the normal position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 to the dogging position shown in dotted lines in the same figure. This rotation,as will be understood, brings the nose II6 of the arm II2 behind and in blocking relation to the lever 80, thereby positively preventing the same from being rocked by either the inside push button I00 or the outside push button I02.

In the modified embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 13, 14, and 15, the previously described inside push button I00 is replaced by a retracting slide I60. The slide I60 is provided with an elongated slot I62, which receives a pin I64 carried by a rearwardly extending projection I66 on the body 28 of the bolt 20, thus forming a lost motion connection between the slide I60 and the bolt.

The slide I60 is also provided with an upwardly and forwardly extending arm I68, which is guided relative to the case plate 30 by means of a pin I10, which rides in an elongated slot I12 in the arm I68. The forward end of the arm I68 is formed as a laterally extending foot I14, which in the illustrated dogging position of the slide I60 lies behind and in blocking relation to the previously described lever 90.

The righthand end of the slide I60 may be connected in any suitable way, as by means of articulated links I 16 and I18, to the usual swingable inside handle I80, associated with the door 22. The last-mentioned connections preferably incorporate means (not shown) such as are disclosed in Grund et al. Patent No. 1,760,491, granted May 27, 1930, which function to yieldably hold the slide r I60 in either of the full line or' dotted line positions of Fig. 14, and which also enable the slide I60 to be moved in a retracting direction to a position to the right of the dotted line position of Fig. 14.

In the embodiment now being described, the inner end of the operating rod I36, instead of being slidably received in a co-unterbore associated with the inside push button, as was the case in the embodiment of Figs. 1 through 12, is slidably received in a bearing sleeve I82, which is suitably secured to and projects inwardly from the base 30 of the case plate. Also, in this case, since the inside push button and the mechanism immediately associated therewith are replaced by the slide I60, the lever is provided with a rounded back, instead of having the previously described tailpiece. In all other respects, the construction and arrangement of the embodiment shown in Figs. 13, 14 and 15 may and preferably does duplicate the construction and arrangement of the embodiment of Figs. 1 through 12.

As to operation, it will be appreciated that the parts are shown in Figs. 13 and 14 with the door 22 in the fully closed position and with the slide I60 in its lefthand or dogging position, in which the foot I14 thereof lies behind and in blocking relation to the lever 00, thereby preventing the same from being rocked by means of the outside push button I02. As before, the outside push buttonmay also be rendered ineffective by oper- I rigidly connected to a rock shaft 292.

ating the key cylinder associated therewith, so as to elevate the arm I42 out of cooperative relation to thelever 90, but such arm is shown in Figs. 14 and 15 in its lower or operative position.

If the inside handle I80 is rocked, in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 15, the slide I60 moves to the right as viewed in Fig. 14. This movement of the slide, which carries it from the lefthand limit or dogging position, to the normal or dotted line position, brings the lefthand end of the slot I62 in slide I 50 into abutting relation to the pin I64, and moves the foot I74 out of blocking relation to the lever 90. The latter movement renders the outside push button Hi2 effective to rock the lever 90 and open the door in the previously described manner.

As aforesaid, the handle I80 is preferably provided with spring mechanism to yieldably hold it in either the dogging position or the normal position, and consequently the handle I80 may be released as soon as the slide I60 has reached either of such positions.

If the swinging movement of the handle I80 is continued past the just-mentioned normal position, the engagement between the slot I62 and the pin I64 causes the entire bolt assembly 20 to be shown), which is preferably associated therewith. It will be observed from the above description that an opening movement of the door, when accomplished by operating the inside handle I80, does not involve any rocking movement of the lever 90. During a closing movement of the door, following an opening action in response to operation of the inside handle I80, the bolt is forced rearwardly .by the keeper 24 in the manner pre-- viously' described and is finally restored to the keeper engaging position by the spring 31. These retracting movements of the bolt, under the conditions stated, do not serve to reset the lever 90, since the latter has not been moved out of its normal or holding position.

If the slide ISO is moved to the dogging position while the door is open, and such door is thereafter closed, the retracting movement of the bolt enables the pin I64 to act against the righthand end of the slot I62, thereby restoring the slide I 59] to the normal position. It is believed to be evident that opening and closing movements following actuation of the outside push button I02 produces the operations described in connection with Figs. 1 through 12.

In the further embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 16, 1'7 and 18, the previously described inside handle I80 is replaced by a reremotely located push button I93, which is supported in an escutcheon I92, which may be suitably secured to the inner panel I94 of the door 22. As before, the button I99 is provided with a return spring I96. The inner end of the shank I98, associated with the push button Iilfi, is loosely and pivotally connected to one end of a crank 250. The other end of the crank 288, is The rock shaft 262 is rotatably journalled in bearings 23?, which are stationarily supported by the door, and at its inner end is provided with a radially extending foot 296, which lies behind and in operating relation to the tailpiece 93a of the lever in the same manner as was described in connection with the arm '2 of Figs. 1 through 12. With this arrangement, it will be appreciated that a depressing movement of the push button I93 rocks the rock shaft 202' in such a direction as to enable the arm 2% to rock the lever 90 in a counterclockwise or doorreleasing direction, as viewed in Fig. 17. I

As in the case of Figs. 13, 14 and 15, the inner end of the push rod I 36 is slidably received in a bearing sleeve I82, which is suitably secured to the case plate, and it will be understood that rod I36 is associated with the outside push button I02 in the previously described manner.

In the embodiment now being described, the dogging of the lever 90 is accomplished by a vertically movable slide 2H], which may extend upwardly through the garnish molding 22a of,

the door 22 and may be provided at its upper end with an operating push button 2I2. Preferably and as illustrated, the guiding sleeve 2M, associated with the slide 2&8, is provided with a detent spring 2H5, which is operative to hold the slide 2m in either its upper or normal position, or in its lower or dogging position. In the upper position, the lowerv end of the slide 21o lies above and out of the path of movement of the lever 90. In its lower position, on the other hand, the end of the slide ZIIJ' lies behind and in blocking relation to the lever 90, and is consequently effective to prevent'release of the door by means of either the inside push button lt i or the outside push button I02.

It will be noticed that'in the embodiment of Figs. 1 through 12 and 16 through 18, each opening movement of the door, resulting from an operation of either the inside or outside push button, swings the lever 91] to the retracted position shown, for example, ;in Fig. 9. When so retracted, the bifurcated end of the lever 9i) prevents rotation of the dogging arm H2 (Figs. 1 through '12) into dogging position, and prevents downward movement of the slide 2m (Figs. 16 through 18) into dogging position. It is not necessary, therefore, to'provide the so-called resetting or kickoff feature described with reference to Figs. 13, 14 and 15, whereby a closing movement of the door restores the dogging mechanism to the normal position thereof. It is possible, however, to manually force the bolt 23 in a retracting direction while the door is open, which retractingmovement, as aforesaid, restores, the lever 9K] to the normal position, shown in Figs. 2 and 8, after which the locking arm I it! or the slide ZIIl, as the case may be, could be moved to dogging position. To take care of an operating contingency of this sort, a cam are may be provided on the bolt portion t l in such position that a retracting movement of the bolt is effective to elevate the slide 2H1 out of its dogging position, and it will be understood that a corresponding cam structure may be utilized in the embodiment of Figs. 1 through 12 for the purpose of swinging the arm H2 far enough out of its dogging position to enable free operation of the lever 98 in response to the outside push button.

Although only specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated that various changes in the form, number and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: Y

1. In a latch structure for association with relatively movable members, a bolt having relatively movable portions, holding means for controlling said last-mentioned relative movement, an operator for moving said holding means from holding position to a position in which it is ineffective to so control said relative movement, and means movable by and as an incident to a closing movement of said members for positively moving said holding means into said holding position. i

2. In a latch structure for association with relatively movable members, a bolt having a body portion and a swingable head carried thereby, holding means operatively associated between said head and said body for controlling said swinging movement, an operator for moving said holding means from holding position to a position in which it is ineffective to so control said 3. In a latch structure for association with relatively movable members, a bolt having a body portion and a swingable head carried thereby, holding means operatively associated between said head'and said body for normally blocking said swinging movement, an operator for re-' tracting said holding means so as to permit said swinging movement, and means movable by and as an incident to a closing movement of said members for positively moving said holding means to blocking position.

4. In a latch structure for association with relatively movable members, a bolthaving a body portion and a swingable head carried thereby, said bolt being bodily movable, holding means operatively associated between said head and said body for controlling said swinging movement of said head, an operator for rendering said holding means ineffective to so control said swinging movement, and means responsive to a said bodily movement of said bolt for again rentively movable portions, said bolt being bodily movable, holding means for controlling said rel.- ative movement between said portions, an operator for rendering said holding means ineffective to so control said relative movement, and means operable by a said bodily movement of said bolt for again rendering said holding means effective.

6. In a latch structure for association with relatively movable members, a bolt having rela', tively movable portions, holding means for controlling said relative movement between said portions, a pivotally mounted lever operatively associated with said holding means for rendering the same ineffective, andinside and. outside operators actuable to swing said lever.

7. In a latch structure for association with relatively movable members, a bolt having relatively movable portions, holding-means for controlling said relative movement between said portions, a pivotally mounted lever operatively associated with said holding means for rendering the same ineiiective, and inside and outside operators actuable to swing said lever, each said operator comprising a depressible push button structure.

8. In a latch structure for association with reltively movable portions, holding means for com trolling said relative movement between said portions, a pivotally mounted lever operatively associated with said holding means for rendering the same inefiective, and oppositely disposed coaxially mounted depressible push button means individually depressible to swing said lever.

9. In a latch structure for association with relatively movable members, a bolt having relatively movable portions, holding means for controlling said relative movement between said portions, a pivotally mounted lever operatively associated with said holding means for rendering the same inefiective, a manually depressible push button member having a push rod mounted coaxially therewith and operable upon depressing movement of said button to swing said lever, asecond depressible push button remotely located with respect to said lever, and means comprising articulated connections extending be! tween said last-mentioned push button and said lever and operable by depressing movement of said last-mentioned push button to swing said lever.

10. In a latch structure for association between relatively movable members, a bolt having a body and a swingable head carried thereby and releasably engageable with a keeper, said bolt being bodily movable between retracted and projected positions, a said bodily retracting movement of the bolt and a said swinging movement of the head each being effective to release said head from said keeper, holding means associated with said head for preventing said swinging movement thereof, a first operator operable to release said holding means so as to enable said swinging movement, and a second operator actuable to bodily retract said bolt, and means operable as an incident to a closing movement of said members for again enabling said holding means to prevent said swinging movement.

11. In a latch structure for association between relatively movable members, a bolt having ,a body and a swingable head carried thereby,

,said bolt being bodily movable between retracted Imovement thereof, a first operator operable to release said holding means so as to enable said swinging movement, a second operator actuable to bodily retract said bolt, and means rendering said second-mentioned operator efiective to render said first operator ineffective.

12. In a latch structure for association between relatively movable members, a bolt having a body and a swingable head carried thereby, said bolt being bodily movable between retracted and projected positions, holding means associated with said head for preventing said swinging movement thereof, a first operator operable to release said holding means so as to enable said swinging movement, a second operator actuable to bodily retract said bolt, means rendering said second-mentioned operator efiective to render said first operator ineffective, and means operably responsive to a retracting movement of said bolt for restoring said first operator to effective I controlling said relative movement, a first operator for rendering said holding means ineffective to so control said relative movement, a second operator comprising a bodily depressible and rotatable element, means responsive to bodily movement of said element for rendering said holding means ineffective to so control said rel ative movement, and means responsive to rotation of said element for rendering said first operator ineffective.

14. In a latch structure for association between relatively movable members, a bolt having a body and a swingable head carried thereby, said bolt being bodily movable, means comprising a holding member for normally preventing said swinging movement of said head but being ineffective to prevent said bodily movement, an operator for moving said holding member to a retracted poistion, a said bodily movement of said bolt being eiTective to restore said holding member to holding position, and dogging means normally operable to render said operator ineifective, said first-mentioned means being effective when said holding member is in its retracted position to prevent operation of said dogging means.

15. In a latch structure, a bolt having relatively movable portions, means supporting said bolt for movement between retracted and projected positions, a member movable between a first position in which it is effective to control relative movement between said portions and a second position in which it is ineifective to effect such control, and means moved by movement of said bolt for positively moving said member between said positions.

16. In a latch structure for association with relatively movable members, a bolt having a body portion and a swingable head carried thereby, said bolt being bodily movable, holding means operatively associated between said head and said body for controlling said swinging movement of said head, an operator for rendering said holding means ineffective to so control said swinging movement, and means moved by a said bodily movement of said bolt for positively moving said holding means to a position in which it is again effective.

17. In a latch structure for association with relatively movable members, a bolt having relatively movable portions, said bolt being bodily movable, holding means for controlling said relative movement between said portions, an operator for rendering said holding means inefiective to so control said relative movement, and means moved by a said bodily movement of said bolt for positively moving said holding means to a position in which it is again efiective.

18. In a latch structure, a bolt having relatively movable portions, means supporting said bolt for bodily movement between retracted and projected positions, holding means for controlling relative movement between said portions, a first operator operable to render said holding means ineffective, a second operator actuable to effect a said bodily movement of said bolt, and means rendering said second mentioned operator effective to render said first mentioned operator inefiective.

19. In a latch structure, a bolt having relatively movable portions, means supporting said bolt for bodily movement between retracted and projected positions, holding means for controlling relative movement between said portions, a first operator operable to render said holding means inefiective, a second operator actuable to eiTect a bodily movement of said bolt, means rendering said second mentioned operator efiective to render said first mentioned operator ineffective, and means operably responsive to movement of said bolt for restoring said first mentioned operator to eirective condition.

20. In a latch structure, a bolt having rela tive1y movable portions, means supporting said bolt for movement between retracted and projected positions, a member movable between a first position in which it is eirective to contro. relative movement between said portions and a second position in which it is ineffective to effec such control, and means rendered efiective by movement of said bolt for moving said member between said positions.

21. In a latch structure for association with relatively movable members, a bolt having relatively movable portions, means supporting said bolt for bodily movement between retracted and projected positions, holding means for controlling relative movement between said portions, a first operator operable to render said holding means ineffective, a second operator actuable to eirect a said bodily movement of said bolt, and means operable as an incident to a closing movement of said members for again rendering said holding means effective to control said relative movement.

' FRANK P. BERGHOFF. 

